The Pixel People: NPCs & Us

"Got it memorized?"  Axel's desire to be seen and remembered is a core part of his personality and a through line of his complex story arc. From hero to villain and back again, he'll do anything to maintain a prominent place in the memories of those whose lives he touches.  Join my guest, Soy, and me for a conversation about Axel, the role he plays in the Kingdom Hearts series, his desire for attention, and attention as a critical need for everyone (and the way that has played out in our own lives).  Axel's wiki Follow Soy on Twitter! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

In today's panel episode, my guests and I explore how queerness is represented in games, both positively and negatively, discussing topics like bi and ace erasure along with closeting and the effect it has on a person, as well as a hopeful look toward the future.  This year's Pride has been marked by both celebration and sorrow, and as the month winds up, it's never been clearer that now is a time for the entire queer community to protect, support, and validate each other, and lift each other's voices.  Please note that challenges during this multi-person recording resulted in some audio quality issues. I’ve made every effort to balance volume and remove extra noise, but some issues still remain. That said, this conversation is important and it’s important to me that it be heard, despite those audio issues. Connect with our guests! HonourAndSteel Alison TrashKingNyx Viktor Neunomer Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

When V encounters Kerry Eurodyne in his mess of a mansion, Kerry is a man who has lost his passion for life and for music and is operating on autopilot, giving into hedonism and letting his manager run nearly everything... with near disastrous results. Depending on V's actions, Kerry finds his passion again, which leads him down both dark paths and, potentially, into a bright new future.  Join me and my guest, Pamela, also known as Honour and Steel, an artist, cosplayer, and virtual photographer, as we explore Kerry's story, the potential routes his relationship with V might take, and what a second chance at life can mean for both Kerry and us.  Kerry's wiki Follow Pamela on Twitter! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

When the bombs fell in 2077, Raul Tejada was living with his family on a ranch in rural Mexico. His journey from Mexico through Arizona and west to the Mojave was filled with loss, much of which he blames himself for, and he carries these losses, his self-blame, and his own internalized ageism wherever he travels—until he meets the Courier, who ultimately decides Raul's fate. My guest, Arlo, a ghoul enthusiast, writer, tea blender, and lover of the tedium of inventory organization, and I take a deep dive into Raul's story and get to the root of his beliefs about his own abilities and the abilities of other older folks in the Wasteland.  Raul's wiki Follow Arlo on Twitter! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

In Knights of the Old Republic II, the idea of the wise mentor is turned on its head in the character of Kreia. As she follows you through the game and responds to your actions, providing insights and her own outlook on the things you do and the effect you are having on the Star Wars universe, you must make some hard choices about what you know to be true and what she is telling you.  My guest, Cypherial, a streamer, anime fan, and self-proclaimed internet clown, joins me to discuss both the validity and flaws in Kreia's way of thinking, the way in which she views everyone around her, and her ultimate actions. Kreia's wiki Follow Cypherial on Twitter and Twitch! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

https://twitter.com/LeagueofLore2Ship captains staying in the seaside town of Bilgewater fear becoming the next name on the list of the legendary Bloodharbor Ripper—a terrifying ghost of a harpooner who met his death when he was betrayed by his own captain and swallowed by an enormous jaull-fish. As time goes by and his form becomes more corporeal and he regains control of the list, however, he once again becomes master of his own fate... but doesn't steer away from his devastating purpose to seek vengeance on the captains of Bilgewater.  My guest, Jacob, or Skullhead Soldier, host of the League of Lore podcast, joins me to discuss a different type of character and game style than we've discussed in the past—Pyke, a champion controlled by the player in the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. Pyke's wiki Follow Jacob on Twitter! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes  

At what point can dedication cross over into obsession? If a goal you hope to achieve is impossible, how else can your life be meaningful? Join artist, teacher, and fantasy RPG lover Dorian and me as we take a deep dive into Dark Souls' inspiring warrior, Solaire of Astora, his quest to find his sun, the elaborate storytelling devices Dark Souls turns on their heads, and the ways in which we ourselves can inspire others, often without even knowing we doing so.  Solaire's wiki Follow Dorian on Twitter and Instagram! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

Since the release of the first Castlevania in 1986, the game has undergone numerous permutations—moving backwards and forwards in time, from Nintendo to Playstation and Xbox, and now to an animated series. The cast of characters, including the main character, changes as well, but two things have remained constant over the years... the castle itself, and the whip, the primary weapon your character yields.  Each of these has in depth lore and backstory, more fleshed out and nuanced than that of even the main human and monster characters.  Join Twitch streamer and artist (and my little brother!) Alan and I as we take a deep dive into the story behind Castlevania's whip and castle in this new—and different!—episode!  Dracula's Castle wiki The Vampire Killer wiki Follow Alan on Twitch! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

Welcome to Season 2!  Note: I do in fact know that it is 2021, not 1921. You'll see what I mean.  Fallout for Hope starts December 4th! Join the team or donate now!  When the bombs fell in 2077, most people watched in horror. Some, however, saw an opportunity. One of these was former Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Eckhart. He seized his moment... and power. In his obsessive quest to eradicate the world of communism, he instead unleashed horrors previously unheard of upon the survivors of Appalachia.  Join me and my special guest, Ken Vigue, the brains behind CHAD: A Fallout 76 Story podcast and the Fallout for Hope charity initiative, as we discuss President Eckhart, his rise to power, those who blindly followed him, and the fates that awaited everyone in Fallout 76.  Thomas Eckhart's wiki Connect with Ken! Follow Ken on Twitch! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes

When it comes to romanceable video game characters, Dr. Liara T'soni of the Mass Effect series is often at the top of the charts. Her compassion, strength, and serenity provide a moral compass for Shepard, which then trickles down to impact other characters' journeys as well. In addition to the literal connection she and other asari can form with other sentient species, Liara's gentle wisdom and guidance allows connections to be built throughout the series as the galaxy comes together to fight the Reaper threat.  Join my guest, singer, actor, and streamer Fenwa Teryen and I as we discuss Liara, the multiple layers of connection present in her story—and connection through games in a more general sense in a special extended conversation.  Liara's wiki Connect with Fenwa! Watch Fenwa on Twitch and YouTube!  Listen to the Atomic Stop Show! Support the show on Patreon! Join the Discord! Connect with the show! Chat with FyreWriter directly and check out her streams! Learn more about the Robots Radio Rocket Club and become a member! Music by Elias Ali & Adam Brookes